“Hi, Lizzie.” His smile is wide, like he’s just as happy to see me.
I step outside, locking the door behind me, and he offers me his arm as we head down the steps. My heart does a small, traitorous little skip at the gesture.
“So, where are we going this evening?” I ask.
“It’s another surprise,” he says, glancing over at me with a smile that says he knows exactly how much that answer will both delight and frustrate me.
“Do you always do surprises?”
“Honestly, no.” He chuckles. “I’m more of a routine kind of guy. But I think you inspire me.”
My cheeks heat instantly, warmth spreading across my face before I can stop it.
He opens my car door, and I climb in carefully, tucking my dress in so it doesn’t catch. He walks around, gets in, and we both buckle up. The engine hums to life, and he checks his mirrors before reversing out of the drive.
“You inspire me in a lot of ways,” he continues, eyes on the road. “I’ve been stuck in a pretty systematic routine for a while. Fun isn’t something I do regularly. But it’s something I’ve really enjoyed with you… and about you.”
I stare down at my hands for a moment, suddenly very aware of how fast my heart is beating.
“Thank you,” I say sheepishly. I’m not great at receiving compliments. But words of affirmation make such a big difference to me. They sink deep, settle somewhere warm and glowing inside me… and then I never quite know what to do with them. Maybe that’s something I need to work on.
“So,” I say, shifting slightly to face him, “are your nice words a strategic distraction so I stop trying to guess where we’re going?”
He laughs, the sound easy and genuine. “You’re clever. That’s another reason I like you.” He pauses. “All I’ll say is that it’s not far from here. About fifteen minutes.”
“Okay, so anything within fifteen minutes is still Recife,” I say, mentally mapping every possible option in my head.
“I don’t think you’ll guess it,” he says with a shrug.
“Is that based on the location… or the activity?” I narrow my eyes playfully, trying to piece the clues together.
“A little bit of both. I just don’t think it’ll make sense until we’re there.” He glances over at me, hands on the steering wheel.
“Hmmm.” I tap my chin dramatically, as if deep in detective mode.
I start guessing anyway. Parks, cafés, beach walks, rooftop restaurants, wildly imaginative options that make him shake his head with a grin every time.
“Okay, okay, I give up,” I finally say, sinking back into my seat. “Clearly, I’m terrible at guessing games.”
“Well, that’s good,” he says, glancing at me briefly, “because we’re about to pull up.”
I look out the window.
The sunset stretches over Boa Viagem beach in a wash of gold and pink. Palm trees line the sidewalk, their silhouettes swaying gently in the breeze. Further ahead, I spot soft lights clustered together.
“Ready to get out?” he asks.
I nod, climbing out and shutting the door, my brows furrowing in confusion as I look around.
“I’m still confused,” I admit, rounding the car toward him.
He offers me his arm again, and I slip my hand through, letting him guide me forward. The air is salty and warm, brushing against my skin and tugging lightly at my dress.
The lights come closer, and I glance at Nate, whose face gives nothing away.
Fairy lights. Wrapped around the base of a small cluster of palm trees, glowing softly as they sway in the wind like they’re dancing just for us.
My steps slow.
